How to paint electric flex

Penny_Farthing_2

Hi
Please does anyone know which paint to use on electric flex? I have a couple of new cream light fittings which hang down on cream chains. The electric flex that winds in and out of the chain is dark brown and I want to 'disappear' it by painting it cream. Not sure enough of electric skills to try a rewire.
Also, is there a reason why manufacturers do this ugly thing?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Buy some new flex.

Penny_Farthing_2

I would - except, as I said, I'm not confident of my electrical 'skills' to rewire the lights. I'll try different paints on an old bit of flex and see how they do.

Sandoval

I'm no expert but I wouldn't imagine that a flexible material like that, twisting and bending all over the place is not going to hang onto the paint for very long...

aliasojo

Penny_Farthing wrote: »

Also, is there a reason why manufacturers do this ugly thing?

Yes. They are usually men who don't think about things like this.

Not sure painting flex is a good idea tbh, lights can give out quite a bit of heat.

ailuro2

But a light fitting isn't going to move once it's in place is it, just give it a couple of coats of emulsion and it will be camouflaged enough for you not to notice.

If you're not confident in rewiring it then you're right to stay clear.;)

Using energy saving bulbs means lights don't get very hot these days.:)

aliasojo

Had another thought but dont know if it's feasible...what about getting some cream electrical tape (that's the bit that I'm not sure of..I know electrical tape comes in millions of colours but not sure if cream is one of them)...and if the flex is thin enough, wrap a length of the tape in a vertical strip round the flex (rather than round and round). You wouldn't see the tape join if you did it carefully and imo it's preferable to paint.

Alternatively, since you're not confident about footering with this kind of thing, I'm assuming you will be getting an electrician or someone more confident to put them in for you....ask them to replace the flex, it's not a big job.

googler

The term 'flex' carries the implication of flexibility, and this is an attribute that paint doesn't possess. Try as you might, the paint will flake off....

Get a basic electrical DIY book, buy some flex in matching colour, and learn how to do it yourself. Safely.

Penny_Farthing_2

Aliasojo - that idea with the tape is brilliant - even white rather than cream would be loads better than the current brown colour. I had decided to leave it as it is - because life's too short:) - but I think that idea's worth a try. Also, today I FINALLY finished painting the room and taking any more paint in there might be tempting fate!

keystone

I agree with others if it offends the eye that much get the flex replaced. I have to ask if it looks that bad why on earth buy the thing with the brown flex on it in the first place?

Cheers

wheeliebin_2

Personally I would replace the flex - do you not know anyone who can do this - it isn't rocket science. Neither painting nor taping will last well or look good...

Some sort of sleeving may work, some of it has a slit so that you don't need to disconnect either end...